In this episode, we sit down with Elizabeth—a first-time mom, teacher, and advocate for medical freedom—who shares her powerful journey through a 63-hour labor, home birth, and the challenges of early postpartum. Raised vegan and homeschooled, Elizabeth has always questioned mainstream narratives. Her story explores leaving her baby to return to work, dealing with nerve pain in pregnancy, and choosing non-traditional feeding strategies for her daughter Jane. We also touch on visible motherhood in the age of social media and how her community and midwives supported her during one of the most transformative seasons of her life.
What You’ll Learn:
• How Elizabeth navigated a long labor and a posterior, sunny-side-up baby
• The emotional and physical challenges of postpartum recovery
• Alternatives to pumping and formula that worked for Jane’s feeding and growth
• Her perspective on medical freedom and visible motherhood
• Tools and techniques that helped, like Spinning Babies and B12 IVs
• The role of doulas, midwives, and prayer in holding space during intense birth experiences
Elizabeth grew up in Michigan and, after high school, lived in Manhattan for seven years, where she studied and taught English and Latin. A lifelong ballet dancer, she moved to California in 2020 to teach high school. She married in 2024, and her daughter Jane was born nearly one year later. Her story is one of deep transformation, faith, and resilience as she transitioned from professional life into motherhood.
Links and Resources Mentioned:
• Elizabeth on Instagram: @elizabeth.susanne
• The Milky Way Lactation Tincture: themilkmoon.com
• Growing Together by Carson Meyer: carson-meyer.com
• Amber Moon (birth photographer/doula): @ambermoonphoto
If Elizabeth’s story resonated with you, please share this episode with someone navigating a long birth, postpartum struggles, or the feeding journey. Leave us a review—it helps other wild-hearted parents find our show.
@sophiabirth
@bayareahomebirth
@bornwildmidwifery
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